PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan leads the turnover of the School-in-a-Bag to North Bay Boulevard North Elementary School in Navotas, Metro Manila. With him during the turnover are, from left: Navotas Congressman John Rey Tiangco, PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos and PLDT and Smart Public Affairs Head Ramon Isberto.
‘No learner left behind’
MANILA, Philippines, July 28, 2020 –PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan, who is also known as MVP, recently marked his birthday through various activities that aim to help schools prepare to reopen classes.
MVP led the turnover of the School-in-a-bag (SIAB) donation to North Bay Boulevard North Elementary School in Navotas, Metro Manila. The SIAB donation forms part of the$50K grant fromHuawei Technologies Philippines, Inc. tothe PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF).
“Education has long been one of main pillars of the corporate social responsibility programs of PLDT and Smart. As we navigate through the new normal, we continue to support the country’s educational system by empowering students and teachers nationwide through flexible learning modalities,” Pangilinan said.
NorthBay Boulevard North Elementary School was personally chosen by MVP to be the first SIAB recipient from the Huawei grant. The school has 60 teachers, while student enrollment has recently risen to 1,400. It is located in one of the poorest informal settler communities in Metro Manila.
Along with the SIAB donation, MVP through the PSF also turned over 66 tablets that will be given to Grade 6 students in Navotas Market Three.
SIAB, which contains 20 tablets, one laptop, and a Smart Pocket Wifi, is one of PLDT and Smart’s pioneering efforts to improve the digital tools and solutions for the education system in the country.
Meanwhile, MVP also donated food supplies to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its soldiers and their families. The distribution of 1,000 packs of rice and vegetables was done through the PSF.
Locally Stranded Indivdials (LSIs) currently staying at the Philippine Army Gym in Taguig receive lunch meals from the Tulong Kapatid which the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) consortium under the leadership of Pangilinan.
ThroughTulong Kapatid,the CSR consortium of the MVP Group of Companies, 900 lunch meals were provided to locally stranded individuals (LSIs) staying at the Philippine Army Gym in Taguig. Members of theTulong Kapatidwho were part of the feeding initiative include the PSF, One Meralco Foundation, Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, Makati Medical Center Foundation, Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc., Maynilad and Meralco MGen.
As the Philippines slowly reopens the economy amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country, entrepreneurs and employers alike are prioritizing the health and safety of its customers and employees.
To maintain social distance and minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19, salaries, incentives, and allowances are best dispersed through cashless channels. GCash for Business, the enterprise arm of the country’s leading mobile wallet, offers a wide range of business solutions which allow both merchants and users to enjoy a safe and secure cashless experience. It allows businesses to distribute payroll and allowances to employees through their GCash e-wallets, which can be linked to a GCash MasterCard.
“Even before the pandemic, GCash played a big role in ensuring the safety of employees of Teletech, a global customer experience services and technology innovator who has won awards for being a top employer in the Philippines” said Luigi Reyes, VP for Enterprise of GCash.
The GCash rewards helped Teletech achieve its goal of gamifying their team’s career path and engagement in a high-touch environment with the launch of the Gamified Talent Engine (GTE). The GCash app gave the employees the liberty to choose the rewards they wanted in a convenient manner in exchange for participation in the program. In some cases, those rewards could be used for daily necessities which helped employees save cash. Adam Jove, one of Teletech’s customer representatives who has been working for the company for seven years, was able to trade his GCash points to buy maintenance medicines to treat his medical condition. GTE Director Jan Rodriguez, added that they observed high utilization of rewards through GCash for supermarket and drugstore redemptions, as they helped usher employees to maximize their benefits while keeping transactions easy and contactless.
Teletech PH Regional Lead Paul Doctolero saw employee participation in wellness programs improve with GCash. “Who wouldn’t want to interact, learn, and at the same time get incentives? Self-improvement is in demand and with this platform, you can do it whenever and wherever.” he said.
Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc.
GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com/.
Manila, Philippines—July 25, 2020— Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI), the No. 1 motorcycle manufacturer and distributor of Honda’s power product in the Philippines, recently donated Honda power products to help restore and maintain the Japanese Garden at the Rizal Park, Manila.
The Japanese Garden is found in the middle of the Rizal Park (Luneta Park), built to promote the friendship between Japan and the Philippines. Known for its lagoon and a bridge, the Japanese Garden brings serenity and beauty to the bustling city of Manila.
Coinciding with the Philippines-Japan Friendship Day, Honda donated a Honda WX10T and a WL30XH water pumps, which will be useful in cultivating and preserving the garden.
“Through this initiative, Honda aims to show our support in maintaining the Japanese Garden, which is not only a national attraction but also one of the symbols that represent the ties between the Philippines and Japan,” Mr. Susumu Mitsuishi, HPI President said.
The donation is also part of HPI’s thrust of serving people worldwide with the “joy of expanding their life’s potential” through Honda Power Tools like the WX10T and WL30XH pumps—both models will help the Japanese Garden caretakers in doing their daily tasks to maintain the area.
The Honda WL30XH has high power output and superb fuel economy for maximum pump performance and a carburetor that can be removed and reinstalled while the frame is attached.
The Honda WX10, on the other hand, is lightweight, compact, and easy to use with a durable Honda GX series commercial grade engine for easy starting and provides ample power for the toughest conditions.
To know more, please follow Honda Philippines, Inc.’s Facebook page, and Instagram account at @hondaph_mc, or check their official website: https://www.hondaph.com/.
Get everything you need for your workspace at home.
MANILA, JULY 24, 2020 – With the current global pandemic driving people to stay indoors, many migrate from the typical office lifestyle to working from home. Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, offers easy access to work-from-home essentials. Here are some must-haves for the perfect work-from-home setup:
A Dedicated Desk
Finding the perfect work desk is possible! Setting the ideal office area is key to getting into that ‘work’ mindset, after all. Choose a sturdy, yet comfy work table that allows you to focus and get the job done.
Try: Sturdy Desk for Small Spaces
An Ergonomic Chair
A good office chair is an excellent investment. It minimizes back pain and prevents injury in the long term. Get a chair that’s the right height to maintain a comfortable posture. Remember, with less pain, there’s more focus!
Try: Ergodynamic High Back Mesh Office Chair
A Good Lamp
Lighting in the work environment has a significant effect on productivity and concentration. The ambient light needs to be bright enough to read comfortably. Choosing the right kind of lighting prevents the risk of eye strain, headaches, and fatigue. Natural light is the best, but a desk lamp ensures the area is well-lit for ultimate productivity.
Try: Nordic Solid Wood LED Table Lamp
An External Monitor
A wide external monitor or a dual monitor setup means more space for all the tabs on the screen. Make sure to get one with high resolution and to keep the monitor height at eye level to prevent back pain from too much slouching.
Try: Anmite 24” Monitor
A Fast and Reliable Router
Working from home means the intense usage of a reliable internet connection. Faulty connections are extra frustrating, especially during video calls. With more people using the internet at home, a good router can boost connectivity and productivity.
Try: TP-Link Router
Making these small changes makes a huge difference in productivity and quality of work which eventually leads to less stress and more motivation to enjoy what the new normal brings.
With these office accessories and furniture, it is now possible to set up the perfect work-from-home office. Shopee provides a variety of items to choose from. In addition to that, shoppers can enjoy freebies and exclusive discounts when they use ShopeePay as their mode of payment.
ShopeePay Special Promotions
From July 24 to 31, users can win cash prizes, earn ShopeePay credits, and claim vouchers and Shopee coins with ShopeePay special promotions.
Lucky Draw
⦁ Regular ShopeePay users: ₱10,000 cash prize and ₱1,000 worth of ShopeePay credits
⦁ New ShopeePay users: ₱10,000 in cash prize and ₱1,000 worth of ShopeePay credits.
⦁ Bills Payment: One lucky winner of ₱10,000 when they pay their bills via ShopeePay. They need to spend at least ₱800 to join the raffle.Promo duration is from July 24 to 29.
(July 24, 2020 — Manila, Philippines) OPM hit-making band Juan Karlos (stylized juan karlos) channels their inner strength with their newest single, “BLESS Ü,” out on all digital and streaming worldwide this July 24, 2020 (Friday) via Island Records Philippines. The pop-R&B track delves into our collective toughness of spirit during these challenging times and hopes to ease some of our worries and fears.
The song’s uplifting message was something juan karlos strives to bring forth to the public whenever we’re faced with adversity, but more so and critically, during a health crisis with seemingly no end in sight right now. “The song, or at least the idea of it, was already made prior to the lockdown. Basically, it was just on standby. But when the pandemic happened, all gigs were cancelled,” frontman JK Labajo shares. “We thought it’d be a good idea to record something different from the music people are already familiar with from us.” While the circumstances then and now are vastly different, their intentions remain the same: finding hope. “Just hold on tight / For in the end of every tunnel / baby there’s light,” he croons.
The songwriting and recording process for “BLESS Ü” had its fair share of unique, unprecedented challenges. Completing it during the lockdown meant adjusting to several limitations. “Not all of our members have their own home setup so [doing it separately] was just not feasible,” according to JK. “But when the lockdown was lifted, we were able to record it properly.” The band welcomed the experience, knowing that ultimately, the song is bigger than their own. JK hopes for listeners to trust in our ability to overcome and that together, we’ll get through.
In just a few years that the band has been making music, they’re not one to shy away from shedding light on critical and necessary topics, often drawing from their own lived experience. “I’ve experienced depression and anxiety… and it’s really frustrating, the feeling of being down all the time,” JK describes. With “BLESS Ü,” they wanted to offer people going through the same mental health situation some comfort, to “help them feel somehow lighter,” he adds.
In addition, the band pledged part of the revenue streams of “BLESS Ü” to help fund COVID-19 relief efforts, as well as hold a special online fundraising concert to support our countrymen and connect with fans virtually.
“BLESS Ü” also follows the release of the band’s debut album Diwa and the emotionally charged single” Sampaguita,” which emphasizes the hardships faced by OFWs. A lot has changed since the album’s release, but his fearless message on these topics remains embedded in his music.
Music has always been one of the most powerful forms of culture due to its ability to rally people’s spirits. Right now, what we need is a resounding feeling of hope and compassion more than ever. If you believe that this song has that very power, then honey, God BLESS Ü.
After reaching more than 120,000 views on Facebook in less than a month, UE Jam Sessions’ collaborative song “Lalaban Tayo” is finally available on digital and streaming platforms worldwide via MCA Music, Inc.
Recorded and filmed in the respective homes of participating members during the quarantine, “Lalaban Tayo” was written by Jenny Legaspi as a tribute to the unsung heroes of the pandemic era: the frontliners.
The song also tackles the invaluable dedication and unwavering efforts of the medical workers and volunteers in the thick of the battle against an invisible enemy.
To date, the music video has received acclaim form various media outlets in the country. Business Mirror’s Tony Maghirang praised songwriter Jenny Legaspi’s lyrics, taking note of how it “reflects that feeling of connection with the frontliners who risk their lives on the line for others day in, and day out.” The veteran music writer adds, “It’s the kind of perception that’s a vital shot in the arm. It should fortify every listener’s optimism that brighter days are just around the bend, nearer than what the statistics would make us believe.”
ABS-CBN News Online’s Jackie Dosmanos also commend “Lalaban Tayo” for giving people something to hope for. According to her, the song “came out fighting for its right to be a notch above the plethora of pandemic-related OPM this summer.”
“Lalaban Tayo” was written by Jenny Legaspi, arranged by Choi Felipe, and executive produced by Tommy Tanchanco. It features more than 30 participating singers and artists from the University of the East’s premier music organization.
Pia Wurtzbach interviews candidates who wish to be part of online English platform 51Talk. The live stream, with hints of a reality and talent show, aims to attract 30,000 new online English teachers to join the platform.
Manila, Philippines – 51Talk, together with their new Philippine brand ambassador, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, held its first-ever live stream interview via Facebook after hundreds of aspiring online English teachers signed-up to get a chance to be part of the show. The live stream is part of 51Talk’s campaign to invite qualified Filipinos who are interested to take advantage of the 30,000 home-based online teaching opportunities offered by 51Talk where people can teach, learn and most importantly – earn.
Listed in the New York Stock Exchange, 51Talk is the leading online English education platform that connects thousands of Filipino teachers to foreign English language learners via an interactive virtual classroom.
More than 70,000 viewers tuned in and joined the fun and inspiring live stream which allowed them to learn more about the teach at home opportunity and acquainted them with the application process that can be completed in as fast as three days. Pia interviewed nine pre-selected candidates from different backgrounds who shared their heartwarming stories on how they found hope in 51Talk after losing their jobs or livelihood.
Several of the candidates expressed how the pandemic has affected their current livelihood, especially those who belong to the travel and events industries.
Paula, a professional dancer and instructor who has been performing and teaching for 14 years, had a lot of her events and classes cancelled due to COVID-19. She came across the 51Talk online teaching opportunity and decided to give it a shot since she has teaching experience.
“I want to be able to translate my teaching skills from dance and performance arts into teaching English. I just love sharing what I know and see my students grow into the best versions of themselves,” shared Paula.
Trina, a professional events host, found herself in the same boat as a lot of her hosting gigs were cancelled or postponed indefinitely.
“While the situation we are in can be very disheartening, I decided to try out as a 51Talk teacher and I’m happy that I made it to this fun interview with no less than Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach!” exclaimed Trina. Trina gave the viewers a taste of her fun, entertaining energy as she sang songs both in English and Chinese
Pearl, another one of the candidates, candidly shared how the past few months have been very tough for those in the travel industry. She was about to return as a flight attendant after her maternity leave but her retraining was put on hold as travel restrictions are still in place. Having no income, Pearl said she had to find a stable and sustainable livelihood that would allow her to help her husband, especially now that they have their first child.
“When I learned about the opportunity in 51Talk, it gave me hope and made me revisit my childhood dream of becoming an educator,” shared Pearl. “Even if I don’t have any teaching experience, I didn’t hesitate to sign-up. I borrowed my sister’s laptop just so I could apply. I’m very excited to start teaching in 51Talk.”
According to 51Talk teacher Angelo Lex who co-hosted the show, being an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher is very profitable as he gets to earn at the comfort and safety of his own home in his preferred schedule. He also shared his excitement when he learned of the platform’s recent announcement about the 20 million pesos incentive program exclusively for 51Talk teachers this month.
Pia felt ecstatic and inspired since this is her first stint in interviewing candidates online. “It’s a humbling experience to interview such incredible candidates from all walks of life, to hear their unique stories and to witness how talented and passionate they all are,” shared Pia.
Towards the end of the show, Pia said she was moved after hearing the story of one of the candidates, Pearl, the flight attendant who borrowed her sister’s laptop just so she could sign-up to be a teacher at 51Talk. Pia surprised everyone as she decided to personallygivePearl a laptop to help her get started in her online teaching career.
“We see your hard work and we’re very sorry for what you’re going through as a young mom. I find you very engaging and who has so much potential,” said Pia.
Aspiring online English teacher Pearl became emotional when Pia Wurtzbach surprisingly announced she would give Pearl a laptop so she can start earning from home to support her family. Pearl was a flight attendant who lost her job but found hope in 51Talk.
“It’s such an honor to represent 51Talk as their brand ambassador and to be able to connect to thousands of Filipinos through this live stream. I hope it inspired them and gave them joy.”
Pia considers empowering Filipinos as her top advocacy, now more than ever when thousands of Filipinos have lost their livelihood due to the pandemic.
“I am encouraging all qualified individuals to sign-up and to seize this wonderful livelihood opportunity. See you in our next live stream!” exclaimed Pia.
Next month, 51Talk will be doing another round of interviews with a new set of candidates via their official Facebook page. To get a chance to be interviewed, showcase your talent, and have a #DateWithPiaAt51Talk, sign-up via 51Talk’s website at www.51Talk.ph.
Have you ever been in a situation wherein you’re “dressed to the nines” and fully made up for an epic night only to be disappointed because you can’t seem to capture a stunning selfie due to the lack of lighting? It’s a frustrating scenario to be in, especially now when you just want to look and feel good despite being stuck at home—that is unless you have proper lighting setups installed.
Luckily, with the vivo V19 Neo, you need not worry about proper lighting and perfect timing to capture the best version of yourself. With the midrange smartphone’s super night selfie, AI Makeup, and Pose master features, anytime is the perfect time to take a selfie.
Super Night mode
For the latest addition to their “V” series, leading global technology company, vivo, added a super night selfie mode which contains advanced noise reduction technology that helps maximize its high definition 32MP selfie camera in low-light settings. With the super night selfie mode, users can capture every detail to produce photos that fully embody their beauty, even when it’s already dark.
AI Makeup and Pose master
If the v19 Neo can produce magnificent photos in low-light, what more if you decide to shoot with sunlight. Throw in the smartphone’s AI Makeup feature and you’re bound to look as if you’ve diligently been doing the “10 step Korean skin care routine” since the quarantine started.
And if you’re out of ideas, you can “pose easy” knowing that the smartphone’s AI Pose Master has got your back. The built-in camera feature helps you think of creative ways to take selfies and further highlight your style.
So what are you waiting for? Schedule your own private photoshoot any time of the day with the vivo V19 Neo, available in Crystal White and Admiral Blue colorways for only P17,999 at authorized vivo stores nationwide. To learn more, visit vivoglobal.ph
Shopee sellers share their experience on how Shopee Live has changed the way they do business.
MANILA, JULY 24, 2020 – As e-commerce continues to grow in the Philippines, more sellers are exploring new ways to reach out and engage with potential customers online. In particular, Shopee online fashion sellers like Licel Manese, Alpha Joy Sto. Domingo and Nikka Solomon have leveraged live streaming as a unique and interactive way to showcase their products and engage with their consumers.
From Brick and Mortar to Online Store
Before onboarding on Shopee, Licel Manese had difficulties getting sufficient sales from her physical store. With the encouragement of her supplier, she decided to set up an online store on Shopee. To her surprise, her online store grew in just less than a year. Licel was looking for a way on how she can acquire more buyers when she found out about Shopee Live while browsing through the Shopee app.
Through Shopee Live, Licel is able to offer an immersive shopping experience for her consumers while showcasing her products and engaging with her buyers in real-time.
“I wish I had joined Shopee earlier. They are very accommodating and helpful during the entire process – and Shopee Live is a key feature in my business’ growth because it allows me to go live anytime, and I will always have an audience. I can give my buyers the ‘in-store experience’ as I can answer their queries about the product, just like when they’re in an actual shop,” she says. Licel adds, “When I started, I had a limited number of viewers, but now, I get about 100 to 200 comments on Shopee Live, mostly consisting of bulk orders from my resellers from Visayas and Mindanao.”
From Youtube Vlogger to Shopee Live Star
Alpha Joy Sto. Domingo has a full-time job in a BPO company and also sells on Shopee for additional income. As her online business grew, she quit her job and focused on building a career around online selling. Since then, she has dedicated all her time and efforts in promoting her products on Shopee. She tried video blogging on Youtube, but when Shopee offered a live streaming feature, she decided to switch to Shopee Live and focused there.
Shopee Live has become an effective marketing tool for Alpha Joy to promote her products and connect with her buyers. What started as a part-time gig grew bigger each month, and she now receives bulk orders.
“I was on my maternity leave and was very curious about the live stream feature. I tried it for my shop once, and it was effective. After doing it a few times, I realized that it’s an excellent platform to sell my fashion items and is the most effective way to connect with my buyers. With Shopee Live, viewers can easily place their orders,” she said. “Shopee Live helps me manage my inventory, and I get a lot of orders via Shopee Live since I get more than 200 viewers every time I go live. I highly recommend joining Shopee Live because it’s very easy and offers a seamless and convenient shopping experience for the viewers,” she adds.
From Banker to Live Streamer
Nikka recently left her work at a bank to focus on her shop on Shopee. As a new seller, she got inspired by other Shopee sellers who live stream their products on the app. Following their footsteps, she decided to use Shopee Live to connect and build a long-term relationship with her buyers and viewers. At the start of her Shopee Live experience, she streamed for four hours, but now, she takes up to six to eight hours due to the high demand of her viewers.
“I enjoy doing live streams. When I started, I only had 30 to 40 viewers, but the more I did it, the more viewers I gained. Now I constantly have more than 100 viewers per stream. With Shopee Live, I’m building an online community and connecting with potential friends. It’s not just about selling your items but rather building a bond with your buyers.”
As she utilizes Shopee Live, Nikka’s orders have grown and she receives more than 100 orders per live streaming. Recently, she and her family celebrated a milestone as she reached 10,000 followers on Shopee.
Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines, said, “With more sellers venturing online to grow their businesses, Shopee is redoubling its efforts to allow sellers to connect and engage with their consumers better. We are happy to hear uplifting stories from our sellers on how Shopee Live has benefited them. We will continue to innovate our platform and build on existing in-app features to help sellers accelerate their business growth online. ”
Shopee 8.8 Fashion Sale
From July 23 to August 8, shoppers can look forward to these three sellers’ live stream sessions at the upcoming Shopee 8.8 Fashion Sale. Users can enjoy free shipping for selected stores, deals as low as ₱8, mix-and-match bundle deals, and ShopeePay fashion vouchers. Users can also enjoy exclusive offers from leading brands such as Silver Kingdom, Hanford, Maybelline, Primer Group, Penshoppe, and iTrends.
Get a chance to win TNT Giga Stories 499 and a special shoutout from Sarah G!
If you are a certified Popster who can sing like Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo, this TikTok challenge might just be for you.
Telco service provider TNT and Sarah G. have teamed up for TNT TikTok Idols, a search for talented TNT subscribers who can sing their hearts out and perform the hit song ‘Tala’ on TikTok.
To qualify, simply follow TNTph on TikTok and share Sarah’s #TNTSingLikeSarah TikTok video to Facebook. Then, do your own cover of ‘Tala’ and upload it on TikTok using the official hashtag #TNTSingLikeSarah. After all this, you may submit your entry at bit.ly/tktkregs.
No less than Sarah G. herself will choose 20 winners based on fun, creativity, confidence, and clarity. Sarah G. will personally announce the winners on TNTph’s official TikTok account for the whole world to see!
Apart from having the opportunity to showcase their inner Sarah G., winners will win TNT Giga Stories 499, which comes with 30 GB (1 GB/Day) of TikTok and other social media apps plus 8 GB open access data for 30 days.
Enjoy your TikTok experience and all the fun and crazy content available on the app smoothly and seamlessly on TNT’s mobile internet, which is powered by Smart LTE, the country’s fastest mobile data network as affirmed by global internet testing firms Ookla and Opensignal.
Join the fun and watch #TNTSingLikeSarah entries with Free Stories For All! For Php 99, you can enjoy 14 GB (2 GB/Day) of TikTok and other social apps plus 2 GB open access for 7 days.
For more info and updates on TNT and its promos, follow TNT on Facebook at fb.com/TNTph, at @tntph on Twitter and Instagram, or visit tntph.com.
